Composite rectangular jewelry structure

Abstract

A method for creating an apparent visual appearance of a large rectangular gemstone in a setting comprising the steps of: mounting a plurality of outer stones along sides and ends of a setting; and mounting a rectangular shaped center stone in a first plane that lies above a second plane that contains the plurality of outer stones, the center stone being disposed within a center of the plurality of outer stones and in a partially overlapping manner such that an appearance of the center stone and the underlying outer stones emulates an appearance of an emerald cut gemstone having larger dimensions than the center stone.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A jewelry article comprising:
 a setting including a plurality of first prongs; and 
 a plurality of gemstones including a first stone that lies in a first plane and a plurality of second stones that lie in a second plane below the first plane, the plurality of second stones extending outwardly beyond a periphery of first stone such that the plurality of second stones are at least partially laterally offset from the first stone; 
 wherein the first stone is held in place by the plurality of first prongs and the plurality of second stones are at least partially held in place by the plurality of first prongs; 
 wherein the plurality of second stones are arranged such that a table of each of the second stones faces upward in a direction toward the first stone. 
 
     
     
       2. The jewelry article of  claim 1 , wherein the first stone comprises a rectangular cut stone and each of the plurality of second stones comprises a rectangular cut stone that is smaller than the first stone. 
     
     
       3. The jewelry article of  claim 2 , wherein the first stone comprises a center emerald cut stone and each of the plurality of second stones comprises a straight baguette cut stone. 
     
     
       4. The jewelry article of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of second stones comprises a pair of end stones that are arranged along opposing ends of the first stone and a plurality of side stones that are arranged along opposing sides of the first stone. 
     
     
       5. The jewelry article of  claim 4 , wherein there are two side stones arranged along each side of the first stone, the two side stones being arranged in an end-to-end orientation. 
     
     
       6. The jewelry article of  claim 4 , wherein the end stones have greater dimensions than the side stones. 
     
     
       7. The jewelry article of  claim 1 , wherein the setting includes a center opening over which the first stone is positioned and a plurality of secondary openings that are formed radially outside and extending along a periphery of the center opening, the plurality of second stones being disposed over the plurality of secondary openings. 
     
     
       8. The jewelry article of  claim 7 , wherein the secondary openings are defined by beveled side edges. 
     
     
       9. The jewelry article of  claim 1 , further including a plurality of second prongs for holding the plurality of second stones in place in combination with the first prongs. 
     
     
       10. The jewelry article of  claim 1 , wherein an appearance of the first stone and the underlying second stones emulates an appearance of an emerald cut gemstone having larger dimensions than the first stone. 
     
     
       11. The jewelry article of  claim 1 , wherein the first stone is spaced above and free of contact with the plurality of second stones. 
     
     
       12. The jewelry article of  claim 1 , wherein the setting further comprises a main center opening which receives the first stone, wherein the first set of prongs each have an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface and wherein the inner and outer wall surfaces curve in an inward direction toward the main center opening. 
     
     
       13. The jewelry article of  claim 1 , wherein the first stone is held at corners thereof by corresponding interior surfaces of the plurality of first prongs in the first plane, and wherein the first prongs have cuts in inner wall surfaces thereof each sized to receive one end of a respective one of the plurality of second stones sized to receive and hold the second stone in place in the second plane below the first plane, and wherein the interior surfaces are different surfaces than the inner wall surfaces. 
     
     
       14. The jewelry article of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of first prongs has multiple surfaces and wherein the first stone and the second stones are engaged at different ones of the multiple surfaces. 
     
     
       15. A jewelry article comprising:
 a setting including a plurality of first prongs; and 
 a plurality of gemstones including a first stone that lies in a first plane and a plurality of second stones that lie in a second plane below the first plane, the plurality of second stones extending outwardly beyond a periphery of first stone such that the plurality of second stones are at least partially laterally offset from the first stone; 
 wherein the first stone is held in place by the plurality of first prongs and the plurality of second stones are at least partially held in place by the plurality of first prongs; 
 a plurality of second prongs for holding the plurality of second stones in place in combination with the first prongs; 
 wherein one end of each second stone seats against two second prongs and an opposite end of the second stone seats against one first prong. 
 
     
     
       16. The jewelry article of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of second prongs comprises a plurality of pillars that protrude upwardly from a top edge of a bottom section of the setting. 
     
     
       17. The jewelry article of  claim 16 , wherein the pillars have square shapes and are linear elongated structures, the first prongs being inwardly curved structures. 
     
     
       18. A jewelry article comprising:
 a setting including a plurality of first prongs; and 
 a plurality of gemstones including a first stone that lies in a first plane and a plurality of second stones that lie in a second plane below the first plane, the plurality of second stones extending outwardly beyond a periphery of first stone such that the plurality of second stones are at least partially laterally offset from the first stone; wherein the first stone is held in place by the plurality of first prongs and the plurality of second stones are at least partially held in place by the plurality of first prongs; 
 wherein the setting includes a center opening over which the first stone is positioned and a plurality of secondary openings that are formed radially outside and extending along a periphery of the center opening, the plurality of second stones being disposed over the plurality of secondary openings; 
 wherein each secondary opening is defined by and between an inner rail structure that defines the center opening and side and end walls of the setting. 
 
     
     
       19. A method for creating an apparent visual appearance of a large rectangular gemstone in a setting comprising the steps of:
 mounting a plurality of outer stones along sides and ends of a setting; and 
 mounting a rectangular shaped center stone in a first plane that lies above a second plane that contains the plurality of outer stones, the center stone being disposed within a center of the plurality of outer stones and in a partially overlapping manner such that an appearance of the center stone and the underlying outer stones emulates an appearance of an emerald cut gemstone having larger dimensions than the center stone. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 , wherein the center comprises a center emerald cut stone and the outer stones comprise baguette cut stones.